Disposable undergarment waistband and method of forming same

ABSTRACT

A disposable undergarment waistband and method of forming a waistband are provided which preferably include providing a first elongate layer of non-woven material having a first predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of elongate elastic strips are positioned to overlie a first portion of the upper surface of the first non-woven layer. A second elongate layer of non-woven material preferably is also provided having a second predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface of the second elongate layer is positioned to overlie the plurality of elastic strips and the upper surface of the first portion of said first non-woven elongate layer. The second predetermined width of the second non-woven layer preferably is narrower than the first predetermined width of the first non-woven layer. The upper surface of at least a second portion of the first elongate layer preferably is folded to overlie and to be secured to the upper surface of the second elongate layer. A plurality of gathers also are formed in the first and second non-woven layers.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/699,110 filed on Aug.16, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,524.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is related to the manufacture of disposable productsand, more particular, to undergarment waistbands and methods of formingwaistbands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the years, consumers have shifted demand from cloth diapers todisposable diapers for infants and toddlers. This demand has increasedand developed the disposable diaper industry into a major industry. Asthis industry developed, consumers preferred and often demandedimprovements in disposable products which included better coreabsorbency, products which are easier to fasten, detach, and reattachside peripheries of the waistbands, various sizes of products forvarious weights and sizes of infants and toddler, and better control ofleakage from the legs and waistbands when the diaper is positioned on aninfant or toddler.

This development of the disposable diaper industry, however, hasincreased demand for faster and more efficient disposable undergarmentproduction. This demand is further complicated by the development ofdisposable infant, toddler, and adult briefs, which have a differentproduct configuration and have different product performancerequirements than disposable diapers. Also because of the relativesuccess of the disposable diapers and the high volume of disposablediaper products produced in manufacturing, the market for these briefproducts has generally been a much smaller subset of the infant andtoddler disposable diaper market. The demand for briefs in general issubstantially less than the disposable diapers. Accordingly, thesespecially configured briefs are not normally produced on the sameproduction line as the disposable diaper production line. Because themarket demand for these briefs is less, product manufacturers are lessinclined to invest in additional machinery for producing these products.The product manufacturer, however, is also pushed by retailers andconsumers to provide a full-line of disposable products for infants andtoddlers.

Additionally, as the nursing home care and elderly care industry hasgrown over the years, the elderly often have needed more and moreassistance from nursing home or elderly care personnel, includingurination and bowel movement assistance. Urination and bowel movementproblems have also arisen among various aged adults such as loss ofbladder control through childbirth or other medical reasons.

Further, waistbands have been developed over the years which are securedto various undergarments along a stitch line formed on upper front,rear, and side peripheries of an undergarment fabric panel. Waistbandstraps and belts have also been developed which have one end secured toor otherwise fastened to an upper rear periphery of an undergarmentfabric panel, extend outwardly therefrom, and have the other end securedor otherwise fastened (e.g., buttoned) to an upper front periphery ofthe same undergarment fabric panel.

Nevertheless, these conventional waistbands are often expensive, formedof a heavy fabric or single elastic sheet, and can be used multipletimes until damage, staining, or the like. Example's of theseconventional waistbands are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,508titled "Self-Centering Multiple Use Garment Suspension System", byBolick and U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,249 titled "Absorbent Undergarment WithFluid Transfer Layer And Elasticized Crotoa Design" by Miller et al.This expense and lack of disposability become particularly problematicwhen manufacturing disposable undergarments in high volume and at a highrate of speed. In other words, the waistband of conventionalundergarments are either not applicable or make up too much of the costof manufacturing an undergarment so that the undergarment is costprohibitive or much less competitive to manufacture.

Additionally, waistbands or belts for attaching and detaching to anundergarment panel have been developed for hygienic articles. Examplesof these waistbands or belts are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,022titled "Disposable Hygienic Article With Removable Belt" by Pigneul etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,162 titled "Carment And Pleated, AdjustableStrap Member Therefor" by Kuen, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,262 titled"Adjustable Garment Attachment System" by Keuhn, Jr. et al. Thesewaistbands and belts, however, often have a complex construction, areexpensive and difficult to manufacture in high volume, and often lackthe necessary elasticity and comfort for wearers of the undergarment andwaistband.

Further, disposable elastic structures have been developed which includea complex arrangement of a single elastic strip or a plurality ofelastic strips and a layer of adhesive tape positioned between layers ofnon-woven material. Examples of these structures are illustrated in U.S.Pat. No. 5,209,801 titled "Method Of Forming A Disposable ElasticStructure" by Smith and U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,011 titled "DisposableElastic Structure" by Smith. These structures, however, are likewisestill relatively expensive and difficult to manufacture in high volume,and often lack the necessary comfort for wearers of a disposableundergarment and waistband. The structures generally are alsoconstructed to be integrally formed with the undergarment panel and notdetachably connected to the panel.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a disposable undergarment waistband and a method for formingdisposable undergarment waistbands more efficiently.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a disposableundergarment waistband and a method of producing the waistband at a highproduction speed that comfortably contacts the skin of wearer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposableundergarment waistband that has good stretching and recoverycharacteristics and that easily attaches and detaches to a disposableundergarment panel.

It is also another object of the present invention to provide a lessexpensive disposable undergarment waistband that can be readily producedin high volume.

These objects and other advantageous of the present invention areprovided by a disposable undergarment waistband which preferablyincludes in a first embodiment thereof a first elongate layer ofnon-woven material having a first predetermined width and upper andlower surfaces. A plurality of elongate elastic strips are positioned tooverlie a first portion of the upper surface of the first non-wovenlayer. A second elongate layer of non-woven material is provided whichpreferably has a second predetermined width and upper and lowersurfaces. The lower surface of the second elongate layer is positionedto overlie the plurality of elastic strips and the upper surface of thefirst portion of the first non-woven elongate layer. The secondpredetermined width of the second non-woven layer is preferably narrowerthan the first predetermined width of the first non-woven layer.

The upper surface of at least a second portion of the first elongatelayer preferably is folded to overlie and secure to the upper surface ofthe second elongate layer, and a plurality of gathers preferably areformed in the first and second non-woven layers. According to a firstembodiment of the present invention, the second layer preferably alsoincludes first and second portions. The lower surface of the firstportion of the second layer overlies the plurality of elongate elasticstrips. The lower surface of the second portion of the second layeroverlies the second portion of the first layer. The second portion ofthe first layer is folded so that the upper surface of the secondportion of the second layer overlies the upper surface of the firstportion of the second layer and the lower surface of the second portionof the second layer underlies the upper surface of the folded secondportion of the first layer. These folded first and second layers providea smooth and comfortable surface for what becomes the upper end of thewaistband when positioned on a wearer. This fold also inhibits skinirritation and upper portions of the waistband from digging into theskin of a wearer.

In a second embodiment of a disposable undergarment waistband accordingto the present invention, the first predetermined width of the firstlayer preferably is substantially greater (e.g., two times greater) thanthe second predetermined width of the second layer. The at least asecond portion of the first layer preferably includes second and thirdportions. The upper surface of the third portion is folded to overlieand be secured to at least portions of the upper surface of the secondlayer. The upper surface of the second portion is folded to overlie andbe secured to portions of the upper surface of the second elongate layerand portions of the lower surface of the folded third portion of thefirst layer. This embodiment of a waistband provides two folded portionsof the first layer and also provides smooth and comfortable surfaces forwhat becomes the upper and lower ends of the waistband when positionedon a wearer and attached to an undergarment panel. These folds alsoinhibit skin irritation and upper portions of the waistband from digginginto the skin of a wearer.

Additionally, the first and second embodiments of a disposableundergarment waistband preferably also include non-elasticized endportions of the first and second layers and either a hook or a loop typefastener secured to each of the end portions for fastening to a matinghook or loop type fastener secured to an upper peripheral end portion ofa disposable undergarment panel. These hook or loop type fastenersprovide an inexpensive fastener which can be readily secured to adisposable waistband product, and yet this type of fastener provides asimple fastening mechanism which are likely to be already familiar towearers of the undergarment.

The present invention also includes a method of forming a disposableundergarment waistband. The method preferably includes providing a firstlayer of elongate fabric material having a first predetermined width andupper and lower surfaces and securing a plurality of stretched elongateelastic strips to a first portion of the upper surface of the firstfabric layer. A second layer of elongate fabric material having a secondpredetermined width and upper and lower surfaces is positioned so thatthe lower surface of the second elongate layer overlie the plurality ofelastic strips and the upper surface of the first portion of the firstelongate layer. The second predetermined width of the second non-wovenlayer is preferably narrower than the first predetermined width of thefirst layer.

According to a first embodiment of the method, at least a second portionof the first layer is folded so that the upper surface of the secondportion of the first layer overlies the second layer. The first fabriclayer is secured to the second fabric layer such as by an ultrasonicseal. The second layer also preferably includes first and secondportions. The lower surface of the first portion of the second layeroverlies the plurality of elongate elastic strips. The lower surface ofthe second portion of the second layer overlies the second portion ofthe first layer. The step of folding the second portion of the firstlayer preferably includes folding the second portion of the first andsecond layers so that the upper surface of the second portion of thesecond layer overlies the upper surface of the first portion of thesecond layer and the lower surface of the second portion of the secondlayer underlies the upper surface of the folded second portion of thefirst layer.

The method of forming a disposable undergarment waistband preferablyfurther includes relaxing the plurality of stretched elastic strips soas to form a plurality of gathers in the first and second non-wovenlayers. A uniform adhesive pattern is formed on the upper surface of thefirst layer to secure the plurality of elongate elastic strips thereto.Also, at least a first portion of the second layer can be folded so thatthe upper surface of a first portion of the second layer overlies theupper surface of a second portion of the second layer. At least onefastener is also preferably secured to each respective end portion ofthe waistband to thereby secure a disposable undergarment panel thereto.

A disposable undergarment waistband and method of the present inventionadvantageously provide a flexible and cost efficient disposableundergarment waistband which can readily attach to numerous types andsizes of disposable undergarments including those produced in a highspeed production process. The first and second layers, for example, caninexpensively be formed by dividing an existing sheet of fabric materialinto a plurality of layer strips for forming the waistbands. The formedwaistbands can then be cut either before or after the fasteners aresecured to the waistband. The waistband and method enhance currentmanufacturers ability to produce various configurations of undergarmentsin a cost efficient process, especially where the particularconfigurations are demanded or needed by the market but the volume, forexample, is significantly less than other product configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects, features, advantages, and uses of the presentinvention having been stated, others will become more apparent byreferring to the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable undergarment having adisposable undergarment waistband secured to upper peripheral endportions of a disposable undergarment panel according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a disposable undergarmenthaving a disposable undergarment waistband secured to upper peripheralend portions of a disposable undergarment panel according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a disposable undergarment waistbandaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of a disposable undergarmentwaistband having portions thereof broken away for clarity according to afirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded view of an end portion of a disposableundergarment waistband according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a disposable waistband productaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention taken alongline 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded view of an end portion of a disposableundergarment waistband according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a disposable undergarment waistbandaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of a disposable undergarmentwaistband having portions thereof broken away for clarity according to asecond embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a disposable waistband productaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention taken alongline 10--10 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments ofthe invention are shown. This invention, however, can be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theillustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, applicants providethese embodiments so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete,and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in theart. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a disposable undergarment 20 having a pairdisposable undergarment waistbands 30 detachably connected to upperperipheral portions of an undergarment panel 21 according to the presentinvention. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, a first embodiment of adisposable undergarment waistband 30 according to the present inventionpreferably has a first elongate layer 31 of non-woven material having afirst predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces. A plurality ofelongate elastic strips 33 are positioned to overlie a first portion ofthe upper surface of the first non-woven layer 31. An adhesive or gluepreferably is positioned in a uniform pattern, e.g., by using a rotatingmotion of an adhesive applicator head, along the upper surface of thefirst layer 31 for securing the plurality of elongate elastic strips 33thereto. A second elongate layer 32, including upper and lower surfaces,of non-woven material is positioned so that a lower surface thereofoverlies the plurality of elastic strips 33 and the upper surface of thefirst portion of the first non-woven elongate layer 31. The first andsecond layers 31, 32 are preferably non-woven fabric material which caneither be breathable or non-breathable. The fabric material preferablyincludes a plastic or polymeric material either formed integrallytherewith or attached as a thin layer to the non-woven material toprovide securing of the layers 31, 32 as described further herein.

The second elongate layer 32 preferably has a second predetermined widthwhich is narrower than the first predetermined width of the firstnon-woven layer 31. According to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, as best illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 and having like elementsdesignated with prime (') notation, the first predetermined width of thefirst layer 31' is substantially greater (e.g., about two times greater)than the second predetermined width of the second layer 32'.

The upper surface of at least a second portion of the first elongatelayer 31 is folded to overlie and secured to the upper surface of thesecond elongate layer 32 so that the lower surface of the at least asecond portion of the first elongate non-woven layer 31 can becomfortably positioned to abuttingly contact the skin of a wearer. Asbest illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, including the arrows illustrated therein,the second layer 32 preferably also includes first and second portions.The lower surface of the first portion of the second layer 32 overliesthe plurality of elongate elastic strips 33. The lower surface of thesecond portion of the second layer 32 overlies the second portion of thefirst layer 31. The second portion of the first layer is folded so thatthe upper surface of the second portion of the second layer 32 overliesthe upper surface of the first portion of the second layer 32 and thelower surface of the second portion of the second layer 32 underlies theupper surface of the folded second portion of the first layer 31.

As best illustrated in FIG. 6, at least a first portion of the secondlayer 32 can also be folded so that the upper surface of a first portionof the second layer 32 overlie the upper surface of a second portion ofthe second layer 32. The first and second layers 31, 32 also includenon-elastic end portions 35, 39 thereof. A plurality of gathers 38 areformed in the first and second non-woven layers 31, 32, and a fastener36, 37 is secured to each respective end portion 35, 39 of the waistband30 for securing to a disposable undergarment. More particularly, theplurality of elastic strips 33 are secured to the upper surface of thefirst portion of the first layer 31 in a stretched position so that whenthe plurality of elastic strips 33 are relaxed after securing the secondlayer 32 to the first layer 31 the plurality of gathers 38 are formed inthe first and second layers 31, 32 to thereby provide a waistband 30that comfortably stretches to various lengths of waists of a userthereof.

The fastener 36, 37 preferably is either a hook or a loop type fastenerfor fastening to a mating hook or loop type fastener 22 secured to anupper peripheral end portion of a disposable undergarment panel 21. In asecond embodiment of a disposable waistband product 30', the fastener36, 37 preferably is a first fastener 36a', 37a', and the waistbandfurther includes a second fastener 36b', 37b' also preferably beingeither a hook or loop type fastener for fastening to a mating hook orloop type fastener 22 secured to an upper peripheral end portion of adisposable undergarment panel 21. These hook or loop type fasteners 36,37 provide an inexpensive fastener which can be readily secured to adisposable waistband product 30 by an adhesive material, and yet thistype of fastener 36, 37 provides a simple fastening mechanism, e.g.,hooks matingly fastening to loops, which are likely to be alreadyfamiliar to wearers of the undergarment 20.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, a second embodiment of a disposableundergarment waistband 30' preferably includes the first layer 31'having second and third portions. The upper surface of the third portionof the first layer 31' is folded to overlie and be secured to at leastportions of the upper surface of the second layer 32'. The upper surfaceof the second portion of the first layer 31' is folded to overlie and besecured to portions of the upper surface of the second elongate layer32' and portions of the lower surface of the folded third portion of thefirst layer 31'. This embodiment of a waistband 30', for example,provides two folded portions of the first layer 31' and also providessmooth and comfortable surfaces for what becomes the upper and lowerends of the waistband 30' when positioned on a wearer and attached to anundergarment panel 21. These folds also inhibit skin irritation andupper portions of the waistband 30' from digging into the skin of awearer.

The present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, also provides amethod of forming a disposable undergarment waistband 30. The methodpreferably includes providing a first elongate layer 31 of non-wovenmaterial having a first predetermined width and upper and lower surfacesand securing a plurality of stretched elongate elastic strips 33 to theupper surface of a first portion of the first non-woven layer 31. Auniform adhesive pattern (e.g., spiral-shaped) preferably is formed onthe upper surface of the first layer 31 to secure the plurality ofelongate elastic strips 33 thereto. A lower surface of a second elongatelayer 32 of non-woven material is positioned to overlie the plurality ofelastic strips 33 and the upper surface of the first portion of thefirst non-woven elongate layer 31. As described previously, the secondelongate layer 32 preferably has a second predetermined width narrowerwhich is than the first predetermined width of the first non-woven layer31.

At least a second portion of the first layer 31 is folded so that theupper surface of the at least a second portion thereof overlies theupper surface of the second elongate layer 32. The second layer 32 alsopreferably includes first an second portions. The lower surface of thefirst portion of the second layer overlies the plurality of elongateelastic strips 33. The lower surface of the second portion of the secondlayer 32 overlies the second portion of the first layer 31. As bestillustrated by FIGS. 4 and 5, including the arrows therein, the step offolding the second portion of the first layer 31 preferably includesfolding the second portion of the first and second layers 31, 32 so thatthe upper surface of the second portion of the second layer 32 overliesthe upper surface of the first portion of the second layer 32 and thelower surface of the second portion of the second layer 32 underlies theupper surface of the folded second portion of the first layer 31.

The first layer 31 is then secured to the second layer preferably by anultrasonic seal such as supplied from an ultrasonic welder which heatsand melts the plastic material in at least one of the layers 31, 32 andlater cools to form the secure seal. The plurality of stretched elasticstrips 33 are then relaxed so as to form a plurality of gathers in thefirst and second non-woven layers 31, 32. A fastener 36, 37 is securedto each respective end portion 35, 39 of the waistband 30 to therebysecure a disposable undergarment panel 21 thereto. Also, according to afirst embodiment of a method of the present invention and as bestillustrated in FIG. 6, at least a first portion of the second layer 32also is folded so that the upper surface of a first portion of thesecond layer 32 overlies the upper surface of a second portion of thesecond layer 32.

Additionally, according to a second embodiment of a method according tothe present invention, the first predetermined width of the first layer31' is substantially greater (e.g., about two times greater) than thesecond predetermined width of the second layer 32'. The at least asecond portion of the first layer 31' preferably includes second andthird portions. The upper surface of the third portion of the firstlayer 31' is folded to overlie and be secured to at least portions ofthe upper surface of the second layer 32'. The upper surface of thesecond portion is folded to overlie and be secured to portions of theupper surface of the second elongate layer 32' and portions of the lowersurface of the folded third portion of the first layer 31'.

An example of an apparatus which illustrates methods of forming adisposable undergarment waistband 30 according to the present inventionwill now be described herein. It will be understood by those skilled inthe art, however, that other embodiments of an apparatus can also beused according to a method and waistband product of the presentinvention. Elastic waistband forming means, e.g., a waistband former,preferably is positioned to form either a continuous or a plurality ofdisposable undergarment waistbands 30 extending along a path of travelor direction of manufacture. The waistband forming means can includedividing means, e.g., a sheet divider, for dividing a continuous sheetof non-woven material supplied from a non-woven sheet source into theplurality of continuous strips or layers 31, 32 and strip combiningmeans, e.g., a strip combiner, for combining a plurality of strips ofelastic material 33 from a waistband elastic supply source with theplurality of continuous strips of non-woven material. The first andsecond layers, for example, can inexpensively be formed by dividing anexisting sheet of non-woven fabric material into a plurality of layerstrips for forming the waistbands. The formed waistbands can then be cuteither before or after the fasteners are secured to the waistband.

The plurality of continuous layers as described above preferablyincludes four strips or layers of non-woven material. These four strips,e.g., cut by the divider, form two pairs of continuous waistband strips.Each waistband has an upper and a lower non-woven strip or layer (e.g.,first and second layers 31, 32) and one or more, e.g., preferably four,elastic strips 33 positioned therebetween. Two of the four non-wovenlayer strips 31, 32 preferably have greater widths than the other twonon-woven layer strips. The one or more elastic strips 33 preferably areonly adhered to a medial portion of the lower non-woven layer strips 31so that lengthwise periphery portions of the lower non-woven layerstrips 31 remain unelasticized. After the upper and lower non-wovenlayer strips 31, 32 and the plurality of elastic strip(s) 33 arecombined, one of the non-elasticized lengthwise periphery portions ofeach upper non-woven layer strip 32 is folded by a folding guide memberso as to now overlie and adhere to at least lengthwise peripheries ofthe upper non-woven strip. These folds, for example, will provide asmooth closure or sealed surfaces to the waistbands and will eventuallydownstream become the upper and lower ends of the waistband of theundergarment.

The one or more elastic strips 33 preferably are adhered to andpositioned between the upper and lower non-woven layer strips 31, 32 inan extended position so that when released to the retracted or relaxedposition, the waistbands 30 have a plurality of gathers 38 formedtherein. This, for example, allows the waistbands 30 which eventuallybecome the waistbands 30 of the undergarments 20 to be stretched whenpositioning the undergarment 20 on a user to thereby provide a snug andcomfortable fit to the waist of a user when retracted or relaxed.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tothe mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Accordingly, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited tothe illustrated embodiments disclosed, and that the modifications andembodiments are intended to be included within the spirit and scope ofthe invention as described in the foregoing specification and as definedin the appended claims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A disposable undergarment waistbandcomprising:a first elongate layer of material having a firstpredetermined width and upper and lower surfaces; a plurality ofelongate elastic strips positioned to overlie a first portion of theupper surface of said first layer; a second elongate layer of materialhaving a second predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces, thelower surface of said second elongate layer being positioned to overliesaid plurality of elastic strips and the upper surface of said firstportion of said first elongate layer; the upper surface of at least asecond portion of said first elongate layer being folded to overlie andsecured to said second elongate layer so that the lower surface of theat least a second portion of the first elongate layer can be comfortablypositioned to abuttingly contact the skin of a wearer; and a pluralityof gathers formed in said first and second layers.
 2. A disposableundergarment waistband as defined in claim 1, comprising a fastenersecured to each respective end portion of the waistband for securing toa disposable undergarment.
 3. A disposable undergarment waistband asdefined in claim 2, wherein said second layer includes first and secondportions, the lower surface of said first portion of said second layeroverlying said plurality of elongate elastic strips, the lower surfaceof said second portion of said second layer overlying said secondportion of said first layer, and wherein said second portion of saidfirst layer is folded so that the upper surface of said second portionof said second layer overlies the upper surface of said first portion ofsaid second layer and the lower surface of said second portion of saidsecond layer underlies the upper surface of the folded second portion ofsaid first layer.
 4. A disposable undergarment waistband as defined inclaim 3, wherein the first predetermined width of said first layer isabout two times greater than the second predetermined width of saidsecond layer.
 5. A disposable undergarment waistband as defined in claim1, wherein said at least a second portion of said first layer comprisessecond and third portions, wherein the upper surface of said thirdportion is folded to overlie and is secured to at least portions of theupper surface of said second layer, and wherein the upper surface ofsaid second portion is folded to overlie and is secured to portions ofthe upper surface of said second elongate layer and portions of thelower surface of said folded third portion of said first layer.
 6. Adisposable undergarment waistband as defined in claim 5, furthercomprising adhesive positioned in a uniform pattern along the uppersurface of said first layer for securing the plurality of elongateelastic strips thereto.
 7. A disposable undergarment waistband asdefined in claim 6, wherein said fastener comprises either a hook or aloop type fastener for fastening to a mating hook or loop type fastenersecured to an upper peripheral end portion of a disposable undergarmentpanel.
 8. A disposable undergarment waistband as defined in claim 7,wherein said fastener comprises a first fastener, and wherein thewaistband further includes a second fastener also comprising either ahook or loop type fastener for fastening to a mating hook or loop typefastener secured to an upper peripheral end portion of a disposableundergarment panel.
 9. A disposable undergarment waistband as defined inclaim 8, wherein said first and second layers include non-elastic endportions thereof, and wherein said fastener is secured to saidnon-elastic end portions of the waistband.
 10. A disposable undergarmentwaistband as defined in claim 9, wherein said plurality of elasticstrips are secured to the upper surface of said first portion of saidfirst layer in a stretched position so that when said plurality ofelastic strips are relaxed after securing said second layer to saidfirst layer said plurality of gathers are formed in said first andsecond layers to thereby provide a waistband that stretches to variouslengths of waists of a user thereof.
 11. A disposable undergarmentwaistband as defined in claim 10, wherein at least a first portion ofsaid second layer is also folded so that the upper surface of a firstportion of the second layer overlie the upper surface of a secondportion of said second layer.
 12. A method of forming a disposableundergarment waistband comprising:providing a first layer of elongatefabric material having a first predetermined width and upper and lowersurfaces; securing a plurality of stretched elongate elastic strips to afirst portion of the upper surface of the first fabric layer;positioning a second layer of elongate fabric material having a secondpredetermined width and upper and lower surfaces so that the lowersurface of the second elongate layer is positioned to overlie theplurality of elastic strips and the upper surface of the first portionof the first elongate layer; folding at least a second portion of thefirst layer so that the upper surface of the second portion of the firstlayer overlies said second layer; and securing the first fabric layer tothe second fabric layer.
 13. A method as defined in claim 12, whereinthe second layer also includes first and second portions, the lowersurface of the first portion of the second layer overlying the pluralityof elongate elastic strips, the lower surface of the second portion ofthe second layer overlying the second portion of the first layer, andwherein the step of folding the second portion of the first layerincludes folding the second portion of the first and second layers sothat the upper surface of the second portion of the second layeroverlies the upper surface of the first portion of the second layer andthe lower surface of the second portion of the second layer underliesthe upper surface of the folded second portion of the first layer.
 14. Amethod as defined in claim 13, further comprising relaxing the pluralityof stretched elastic strips so as to form a plurality of gathers in thefirst and second non-woven layers.
 15. A method as defined in claim 14,wherein the at least a second portion of the first layer comprisessecond and third portions, and wherein the method further comprisesfolding the upper surface of the third portion of the first layer tooverlie and be secured to at least portions of the upper surface of thesecond layer, and wherein the upper surface of the second portion isfolded to overlie and be secured to portions of the upper surface of thesecond elongate layer and portions of the lower surface of the foldedthird portion of the first layer.
 16. A method as defined in claim 15,further comprising forming a uniform adhesive pattern on the uppersurface of the first layer to secure the plurality of elongate elasticstrips thereto.
 17. A method as defined in claim 16, further comprisingfolding at least a first portion of the second layer so that the uppersurface of a first portion of the second layer overlies the uppersurface of a second portion of the second layer.
 18. A method as definedin claim 12, further comprising securing at least one fastener to eachrespective end portion of the waistband to thereby secure a disposableundergarment panel thereto.